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The Eastern Cape is often described as a land of contrasts — a province of breathtaking beauty with rolling hills, oceans, and waterfalls that paint a picture of rural peace. It is also home to South Africa’s greatest minds, from political giants and poets to legendary musicians and educators.
Yet behind the beauty lies a harsh truth — poverty, unemployment, and poor service delivery still define daily life for many. In Ntlakhwe, under the Nyandeni administrative area, Mandlovu, a grandmother originally from Nomlacu location in Bizana, is quietly enduring that reality.
She lives with her five grandchildren in a small zinc shack, which she built herself after returning from KwaZulu-Natal shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The mothers of her grandchildren migrated to KwaZulu-Natal years ago in search of work, but they still return home when they can and send money to help support the family.
“There is no electricity here, and I fetch water from the river nearby,” she said softly, standing outside her home, its thin metal walls glinting in the afternoon sun. “I cook with wood because I have no power, and when it rains, the water comes inside.”
She says she chose this piece of land because it is close to the forest, which makes collecting firewood easier. But the location also brings danger — when strong winds and storms hit, the shack shakes, and leaks pour through the roof.
Mandlovu once worked in KwaZulu-Natal but returned home to care for her grandchildren. She says she approached Eskom for help with electrification but was told she would need R10 000 for installation unless she applied through her ward councillor. “I have not tried,” she admitted, “because neighbours say they have also asked for help and nothing happened.”
Together with her children, Mandlovu has managed to build a small one-room flat beside the old shack. Though modest, it offers slightly better protection from the rain and wind. “I just want a safe home with electricity for the children,” she said.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the situation is heartbreaking. “It’s painful to see an old woman living like this. We hope someone will step in to help,” he said.
Pondoland Times is calling on local authorities, community leaders, and the Department of Human Settlements to assist in bringing light and dignity to Mandlovu’s home — before another Eastern Cape story of quiet suffering is forgotten.
